The Gospels contain a fairy-story, or a story of a larger kind which embraces all the essence of fairy-stories. This story has entered History. It begins and ends in joy–the birth of Christ and the resurrection. There is no tale ever told that men would rather find was true, and none which so many skeptical men have accepted as true on its own merits. For it has the supremely convincing tone of Primary Art, that is, of Creation. To reject it leads either to sadness or to wrath.
It is not difficult to imagine the excitement and joy that one would feel, if any especially beautiful fairy-story were found to be “primarily” true, its narrative to be history, without losing its mythical significance. The Christian joy is of the same kind. This story is supreme; and it is true. God is the Lord, of angels, and of men–and of elves. Legend and History have met and fused.
But in God’s kingdom the presence of the greatest does not depress the small. Story, fantasy, still go on, and should go on. The Gospels have hallowed them, especially the happy ending.
(Bits and pieces from Tolkien’s “On Fairy Tales,” Tree and Leaf, pages 71-73)